The Interwoven Nexus of Cinema, Politics, Religion, and Caste in India: Strategic Insights for the Tamil Eelam Struggle

Author: Nila Bala (Kaaviya) 06/08/2023 (originally)

Today: 28/07/2025

Abstract

This article critically interrogates the deeply entangled nexus of cinema, politics, religion, and caste within India’s socio-political architecture. Underlying these intertwined spheres are potent economic and corruptive forces metaphorically framed as giants (commerce), demons (money), and devils (corruption and exploitation), which systematically sustain and manipulate political power. Tracing the Indian National Congress’s historical hegemony until 2014 and the subsequent ascendancy of the Bharatiya Janata Party, this study situates India’s political evolutions within a comparative global context contrasting South Asian political ruptures with Western democratic institutional continuity. Finally, the article elucidates how a nuanced grasp of these forces is indispensable for the Tamil Eelam movement’s strategic political navigation and diplomatic engagement amidst complex regional and international geopolitical realities.

Keywords:

Cinema, Politics, Religion, Caste, Corruption, Indian National Congress, Bharatiya Janata Party, Tamil Eelam, Geopolitics, South Asia

Introduction

India’s socio-political fabric is uniquely characterised by the intricate interweaving of cinema, religion, caste, and politics, domains that mutually reinforce and shape one another. Far from operating as discrete spheres, they collectively constitute a dynamic ecosystem fuelled and steered by formidable underlying forces: commerce, monetary power, and systemic corruption. This article conceptualises these as giants, demons, and devils respectively—metaphorical constructs illuminating the concealed yet omnipresent actors orchestrating political power behind the scenes.

Politicians, film personalities, and business magnates invariably operate under the influence of these forces, engaging in continual negotiation and strategic realignment to secure and maintain power. The Indian National Congress’s seven-decade dominance of the central government until 2014 and its displacement by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) exemplify shifts within this ongoing contestation and recalibration of power.

Situating India’s political trajectory within a comparative framework reveals a stark contrast to Western democracies, where institutional continuity and policy stability prevail despite regular electoral turnover. In South Asia, political transitions frequently precipitate wholesale ruptures, a reflection of deep-rooted socio-cultural specificities and institutional fragilities.

Against this backdrop, the Tamil Eelam political struggle demands a profound understanding of these intersecting forces. Success requires strategic political awareness, adept diplomatic engagement, and an unwavering commitment to democratic principles, while eschewing entanglement in neighbouring states’ internal conflicts.

Literature Review

The nexus of religion, caste, and politics in India has been extensively analysed (Jaffrelot, 2007; Rudolph & Rudolph, 1987), highlighting how these identities underpin political mobilisation and legitimation. Cinema’s political salience, especially in South India, is increasingly recognised (Dwyer, 2006), with film stars transitioning into political figures and cinematic narratives reinforcing ideological hegemony.

Political economy studies reveal the pervasiveness of patronage, money power, and corruption in electoral politics (Vaishnav, 2017; Kohli, 1990), with commercial interests wielding significant influence over governance and policy.

Comparative political research (Diamond, 2019; Chandhoke, 2007) emphasises the relative institutional robustness of Western democracies, contrasting with South Asia’s cyclical political ruptures characterised by clientelism and fragile institutions.

The Tamil Eelam struggle is well-documented in diaspora studies and conflict analysis (Bryant, 2011; Shastri, 2014), yet integration with India’s internal political economy and cultural politics remains underexplored, a gap this article seeks to address.

Conceptual Framework: Giants, Demons, and Devils

This study employs a metaphorical framework elucidating the covert actors sustaining political power:

Giants: Commerce and economic interests, whose vast resources shape political patronage and agenda-setting.

Demons: Money, the seductive and corrupting force vital for electioneering and influence-peddling.

Devils: Corruption, coercion, and deceit that perpetuate systemic moral decay within political institutions.

These metaphors encapsulate the complexity of India’s political economy beyond mere empirical description, revealing the layered power relations operative behind formal politics.

The Interdependence of Politics, Religion, Caste, and Cinema

Political mobilisation in India is deeply entwined with religious and caste identities, which serve as primary bases for electoral strategy and political legitimacy (Jaffrelot, 2007). Cinema, particularly in Tamil Nadu and southern India, acts as a potent ideological vehicle; film personalities often leverage cinematic fame to gain political capital, while film narratives embed political discourses within popular culture (Dwyer, 2006).

Within this ecosystem, actors operate within networks sustained by commercial and corruptive forces. Political survival necessitates adept negotiation with these giants, demons, and devils, who collectively structure India’s political economy.

Political Transitions: From Congress Hegemony to BJP Dominance

The Indian National Congress maintained central government dominance for much of post-independence India, facilitating stable political alliances and continuity (Frankel, 2005). Regional politicians leveraged Congress’s institutional power while navigating the underlying forces maintaining its dominance.

The BJP’s rise since 2014 signifies ideological and political realignment grounded in Hindu nationalism and a reconfiguration of power (Jaffrelot, 2021). Political and commercial elites have accordingly recalibrated allegiances, illustrating the adaptability of entrenched patronage and corruption networks amid changing political landscapes.

Comparative Global Perspective

Unlike South Asia’s cyclical political ruptures, Western democracies tend to alternate power through institutionalised processes preserving policy continuity and democratic norms (Diamond, 2019). South Asia’s distinctive political culture, marked by fragmented social identities and clientelism, frequently results in abrupt regime changes and policy discontinuities (Chandhoke, 2007).

Strategic Implications for the Tamil Eelam Struggle

The Tamil Eelam movement embodies a profound democratic commitment, with successive generations making significant sacrifices (Bryant, 2011). Realising political rights demands nuanced understanding of India’s socio-political matrix and the geopolitical strategies of neighbouring and global powers.

Tamil political actors must engage diplomatically while maintaining strategic autonomy, avoiding entanglement in external internal conflicts. The metaphorical giants, demons, and devils shaping Indian politics necessitate pragmatic approaches aligned with broader geopolitical realities (Shastri, 2014).

Conclusion

India’s political landscape is a deeply interwoven fabric of cinema, religion, caste, and politics, sustained by powerful economic and corruptive forces. The transition from Congress dominance to BJP rule underscores persistent negotiation with these underlying forces despite formal political change.

South Asia’s distinctive pattern of political ruptures contrasts with Western democratic institutional stability, reflecting unique socio-cultural and institutional factors.

For the Tamil Eelam movement, comprehensive understanding of these dynamics and strategic, diplomatically savvy political action are critical for success. Upholding democratic ideals while navigating regional and international complexities will be key to achieving their political aspirations.

Epilogue: On Desire and Liberation

The transient nature of life and the ceaseless restlessness of the human body entrain individuals within the bind of desires. Liberation from this cycle requires deep, sustained self-discipline—an imperative for the Tamil Eelam community in their quest for political and existential emancipation.

References

• Bryant, R. (2011). The Sri Lankan Tamil Diaspora and the Tamil Eelam Struggle. Pluto Press.

• Chandhoke, N. (2007). Beyond Secularism: The Rights of Religious Minorities. Oxford University Press.

• Chatterjee, P. (2011). Democracy and Economic Transformation in India. Cambridge University Press.

• Diamond, L. (2019). Ill Winds: Saving Democracy from Russian Rage, Chinese Ambition, and American Complacency. Penguin Press.

• Dwyer, R. (2006). Filming the Gods: Religion and Indian Cinema. Routledge.

• Frankel, F. (2005). India’s Political Economy 1947-2004: The Gradual Revolution. Oxford University Press.

• Jaffrelot, C. (2007). Hindu Nationalism: A Reader. Princeton University Press.

• Jaffrelot, C. (2021). The BJP’s India: Hindu Nationalism and the Rise of the BJP. Hurst Publishers.

• Kohli, A. (1990). Democracy and Discontent: India's Growing Crisis of Governability. Cambridge University Press.

• Rudolph, L. I., & Rudolph, S. H. (1987). In Pursuit of Lakshmi: The Political Economy of the Indian State. University of Chicago Press.

• Shastri, A. (2014). India’s Foreign Policy and Regional Security. Routledge.

• Vaishnav, M. (2017). When Crime Pays: Money and Muscle in Indian Politics. Yale University Press.

© 2025 Nila Bala (Balananthini Balasubramaniam), Small Drops.

All Rights Reserved. No reproduction, republication, or translation of this content is permitted without written permission from the author.

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(Disclaimer: Images are AI generated and are used for representational purposes only)

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